Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40644410›Full record

ArticlePLoS neglected tropical diseases2025

Reactive case detection can improve the efficiency of lymphatic filariasis surveillance compared to random sampling, Samoa 2023.

Helen J Mayfield, Benn Sartorius, Angus McLure, Stephanie J Curtis, Beatris Mario Martin, Sarah Sheridan, Robert Thomsen, Rossana Tofaeono-Pifeleti, Satupaitea Viali, Patricia M Graves and 1 more

Abstract readComparative Study
In one paragraph

Article in PLoS neglected tropical diseases, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

11 authors.

Helen J MayfieldCentre for Clinical Research, Faculty of Health, Medicine and Behavioural Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.ORCID 0000-0003-3462-4324
Benn SartoriusCentre for Clinical Research, Faculty of Health, Medicine and Behavioural Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
Angus McLureNational Centre for Epidemiology and Population Health, The Australian National University, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia.
Stephanie J CurtisCentre for Clinical Research, Faculty of Health, Medicine and Behavioural Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
Beatris Mario MartinCentre for Clinical Research, Faculty of Health, Medicine and Behavioural Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
Sarah SheridanCentre for Clinical Research, Faculty of Health, Medicine and Behavioural Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
Robert ThomsenSamoa Ministry of Health, Apia, Samoa.
Rossana Tofaeono-PifeletiSchool of Medicine, National University of Samoa, Apia, Samoa.
Satupaitea VialiSchool of Medicine, National University of Samoa, Apia, Samoa.
Patricia M GravesCollege of Public Health, Medical and Veterinary Sciences, James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland, Australia.
Colleen L LauCentre for Clinical Research, Faculty of Health, Medicine and Behavioural Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.

Funding

Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation OPP1190754National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC)United States Agency for International Development
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundIn Samoa, lymphatic filariasis (LF) remains endemic despite persistent elimination efforts. Targeted sampling based on locations of known infections could be an efficient strategy for locating infected individuals and residual infections to support these efforts. This cross-sectional study assesses the efficiency of reactive case detection versus random sampling for identifying LF antigen (Ag)- and microfilaria (Mf)-positive individuals in Samoa in varying Ag prevalence scenarios. METHODOLOGY: In 2023, six primary sampling units (PSUs) were surveyed using random and targeted sampling strategies. PSUs were selected based on Ag prevalence in 2019; two PSUs each with low (3-5%), medium (6-7%) and high (13-17%) Ag prevalence. The randomly selected group included residents aged ≥5 years in 15 houses per PSU. The targeted group included residents aged ≥5 years in up to eight households within 200 metres of a household where Ag-positive resident(s) were identified in 2019. Blood samples were tested for Ag and examined for Mf. PRINCIPAL

findingsThe targeted sampling strategy (n = 400 people) identified more positives (57 Ag-positive, 23 Mf-positive) than the random sampling strategy (n = 494, 39 Ag-positive, 16 Mf-positive), with an overall targeted:random sampled case ratio of 1.8 (95% CI 1.3-2.5) for Ag and 1.8 (95% CI 1.1-3.1) for Mf. Efficiency gains were greatest in medium prevalence PSUs for both Ag-positives (ratio = 2.4, 95% CI 1.3-5.2) and Mf-positives (ratio = 2.6, 95% CI 0.9-12.8).

conclusionsIn Samoa, a targeted sampling strategy using reactive case detection was more efficient for locating Ag-positive and Mf-positive individuals compared to random sampling, with the highest efficiency gain in medium Ag prevalence settings. Our study demonstrates the value of testing household members of near neighbours of Ag-positive and helps to inform LF surveillance strategies in Samoa and the Pacific region by promoting more efficient resource allocation.

Indexed as

Elephantiasis, FilarialEpidemiological MonitoringAdolescentAdultAgedAnimalsAntigens, HelminthChildChild, PreschoolCross-Sectional StudiesFemaleHumansMaleMiddle AgedPrevalenceSamoaAntigens, Helminth

Identifiers

PMID40644410
PMCPMC12250502

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.